REDMOND, OR -- A Redmond man died last week, after he was pulled off frozen rocks above the Dry Canyon, in two-degree weather. According to the police report released by the Deschutes County District Attorney, the Redmond man was found near his SUV, which was still running but stuck on rocks, at the end of a powerline alley off West Antler Sunday morning, January 14. The DA later released his identity. 

Police say it appears 38-year-old Phil Gerhart got out of the car and fell about five feet to the boulders below. No footprints were found in the snow, but the driver's door was open and an alarm was sounding inside the vehicle. 

Gerhart was barely conscious when firefighters freed him. He died later at the hospital. His cause of death remains under investigation.

Police say it's unclear what he was doing in the alley, which is only a narrow easement between two homes. There is no indication the vehicle was speeding. 

 

file photos of the area, courtesy of Google Earth. (Top) View of rocky embankment from Black Butte Blvd. (Bottom) View of easement access from W. Antler Ave. 

This story was updated 01/23/24 with the victim's name.